Chapter 1: The Turning Point

Looking back, my greatest regret is not leaving my marriage when it first turned sour. The moment my demeanor shifted, from a calm individual to someone who raised her voice, was pivotal. I began uttering hurtful words that shouldn’t echo within the confines of any home.

I owe my children an explanation. They didn’t choose to enter this world; I brought them into it. They relied on me to safeguard their environment. Instead, I misguidedly spent years trying to convince their father that we both shared the duty of maintaining a nurturing home. Yet, he couldn’t hear me, which is why, after years of silence, I found myself raising my voice.

I had begun using language I had never uttered before, striving to get through to him. Unfortunately, our children were caught in the middle. My intentions may have been noble, much like many others who believe it's worth fighting for something that's already been lost.

As a marketer, I often analyze businesses to determine why they’re failing. In hindsight, my marriage was no different—it was not thriving. While emotions played a significant role, the principles remain the same; it was broken, much like an unprofitable enterprise. I should have approached it from that perspective.

In a business partnership, both parties need to be engaged. If one isn’t contributing, you often have to take control and operate as a sole owner. When faced with conflict and challenges that hinder daily operations, a critical decision must be made: how do I ensure survival? Is this partnership worth maintaining, or is it time to move forward independently?

The harsh reality of financial survival demands clarity. You cannot afford emotional turmoil or time wastage; it’s an all-or-nothing scenario. Lingering in anger only leads to further losses. I wish I had viewed my situation through that lens.

I wish I had been more practical. I wish I had recognized that I was alone in this partnership and that it had disintegrated. My emotional responses clouded my judgment, and I regret letting anger linger for so long. I should have left when my marriage first became hostile; that was my warning sign.

An angry marriage signifies a relationship in the red, while a happy one indicates being in the black. It really is that straightforward. One is a partnership; the other resembles a sole proprietorship. One thrives, while the other faces bankruptcy.

Chapter 2: Lessons from the Past